Valley Central beats Kingston on late TD – Daily Freeman

Kingston quarterback Caroline Connolly attempts to throw a pass as Saugerties' Gabby Stracuzzi approaches during a game on Monday, April 17, 2023, at M. Clifford Miller Middle School in Lake Katrine, N.Y. (Tania Barricklo/Daily Freeman , file)

MONTGOMERY, N.Y. – The Kingston High girls flag football team faces a must-win game Thursday in Washingtonville after a heartbreaking 14-13 loss Monday at Valley Central.

Kingston (2-6-1 league, 5-6-1 overall) must win the regular-season finale against Washingtonville to get back to .500 overall and qualify for the Section 9 big school playoffs next week. A loss or draw against the Wizards would end the Tigers' season, according to coach Mike Dittus.

Although Washingtonville is just 1-9, the Tigers earned a 6-0 victory over the Wizards on April 29 at M. Clifford Miller Middle School. Game time is on Thursday at 5 p.m

“I know they can win it on Thursday,” Dittus said. “All of these games are close. I don’t have any fingernails anymore.”

Kingston led Valley Central 14-0 with 14 minutes to play after senior Caroline Connolly had two interception returns for touchdowns.

Connolly's 63-yard interception return gave the Tigers a 6-0 lead. Quarterback Mackenzie Martin connected with Connolly on an extra-point pass, giving the Tigers a 7-0 halftime lead.

Connolly then added a 36-yard pick-six to extend the Tigers' lead to 13-0. The extra point failed.

Valley Central came back and scored 14 straight points to secure the win. The winning TD came on a four-and-goal with less than two minutes left and the Vikings converted the game-winning extra point.

“This has happened to us for the second time this season,” said Dittus about the defeat suffered by an opponent due to a late possession.

Dittus praised the play of Connolly, who led the defense with eight flag plays.

“That was probably the best defensive performance I’ve seen since I’ve been doing this,” the second-year coach said. “Caroline also completed seven passes on offense. She does everything.”

Maddie DeKoskie had two interceptions and seven flag pulls for the Tigers and Martin had seven flag pulls. Jordan Perry also had a pass interception and two sacks for Kingston. Maddie Tampasis added three flag pulls and Teagan Helsley and Melani O'Brien each had two.

Martin completed 10 of 20 passes for 61 yards and Perry completed four passes for 46 yards. Perry led Kingston with 25 yards.